Illegal Fuel Trade Busted in Marinduque, P3.5M Worth Seized

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Two suspects were arrested and around P3.54 million worth of petroleum products and transport equipment were seized in a joint police operation in Gasan, Marinduque, on Tuesday (Sept. 8). The suspects were arrested in Barangay Bachao Ibaba after they were caught distributing and dispensing petroleum products using a tanker allegedly without the required Department of Energy (DOE) authority and permit, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the MIMAROPA police. READ: 3 men arrested for fuel theft in Cavite Seized during the operation were about 19,800 liters of petroleum products valued at P1.734 million, consisting of 12,000 liters of premium gasoline, 6,000 liters of diesel and 1,800 liters of unleaded gasoline. Police also confiscated a blue-and-white 10-wheeler tank lorry valued at about P1.805 million, a black suction hose, the vehicle’s official receipt and certificate of registration, and a delivery receipt. The total estimated value of the seized petroleum products and equipment was placed at P3.538 million. The suspects would.be charged for violating Section 2 (a), in relation to Section 3 (h), of Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, which penalizes unlawful acts involving petroleum products. /jpv